Best classic television dads

In honor of Father's Day, here's a look at some of our favorite television dads.

June 5, 2013 10:17 AM

Photo: CBS Photo Archive

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Ward Cleaver

The Beav's dad is the epitome of television fatherhood; wise, even-handed and caring, Ward Cleaver was nearly as perfect as his wife, June. Some of our other favorites were less ideal (looking at you, Archie Bunker), but we still love them.

Show: Leave it to Beaver

Dad: Ward Cleaver (Hugh Beaumont)Fatherly advice: "You know, Wally, when I went to high school, we used to have to wear a collar and tie to school everyday."

The Beav's dad is the epitome of television fatherhood; wise, even-handed and caring, Ward Cleaver was nearly as perfect as his wife, June. Some of our other favorites were less ideal (looking at you, Archie ... more

Photo: ABC Photo Archives, ABC Via Getty Images

The Beav's dad is the epitome of television fatherhood; wise,... Photo-4738658.63902 - Houston Chronicle

Dad: Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith)Fatherly advice: "When a man carries a gun all the time, the respect he thinks he's
getting might really be fear. So I don't carry a gun because I don't
want the people of Mayberry to fear a gun. I'd rather they respect me."

Dad: Lucas McCain (Chuck Connors)Fatherly advice: "Sometimes when people don't understand something, they think it's to be
feared or hated. That's wrong, but it takes a long time to learn
differently."

Dad: Joseph 'Rocky' Rockford (Noah Beery Jr.)Fatherly advice: " Did you know that there's only 3 Rockfords in the phonebook? There's
you and there's me, and there's that guy from Detroit who got beat up
because they thought he was you."

Dad: Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill)Fatherly advice: "Today I feel like the luckiest man on the face of the earth.
As you know I played high school football. I was great. And you kids out
there would like to be just as great as I was. But beware: there is a
killer out there, a temptation. It will eat up your money and your will to
live. I know you've heard about it before, but you can't hear about it
enough. Kids, please just say no to marriage!"

Dad: Steven Keaton (Michael Gross)Fatherly advice: "Alex, parents are conditioned to put up with a few minor accidents when
they leave their children home alone. A broken vase, spilt milk on the
rug... There was a kangaroo... in my living room."

Dad: Jed Clampett (Buddy Ebsen)Fatherly advice: "I reckon you done what you done because you didn't know we was who we
was. And if we hadn't been who we was, we'd have still been much obliged
for you to have done what you done. "